The 1960s

Finances:

In November, 1965, a 1.4 mill county operating levy was defeated resulting in a drastic 42% reduction of budget. For reasons of economy, the agency moved its administrative offices to the Miami Children's Center. The Lucas County Welfare Board had been receiving its funds from the county general fund, but in 1967 the Board asked for a direct 1.3 mill tax levy to be used exclusively for child welfare purposes. Despite a vigorous campaign, the levy was defeated.

The Miami Children's Home in 1961

The following November, the board again asked for a 1.5 mill levy.
The CWB's 1968 budget of $1.1 million was deemed "grossly inadequate" in
a Toledo Blade editorial supporting the levy. Championed by
the United Toledo Committee, a group of philanthropic citizens, the
campaign resulted in success on November 5, 1968. The five-year
operating levy, the first in agency history, produced an estimated $2.4
million a year and more than doubled the board's annual budget.

Services:

In
January, 1966, the agency's board of trustees voted to eliminate the
position of Superintendent of the Miami Children's Center and
consolidate those responsibilities with that of the Executive Secretary.
This move was intended to not only save money but also to bring all of
the agency's services under the direction of one administrator. This
decision proved quite controversial, as the superintendent was
well-liked by staff and considered a parental figure to the children
living at the home. Following the defeat of the 1967 levy, the agency
could provide only minimal services, and the social work staff was
reduced from 44 to 19. Passage of the 1968 levy, however, provided funds
to bring the casework staff up to 80 persons.

Name:

With
the expansion of services also came a name change, in 1968, from the
Lucas County Child Welfare Board to Lucas County Children Services Board
(LCCSB).